Applicant Visit Days

What support is available for mental health difficulties?

If you experience long-term mental health issues, you can access support through the Disability Services and complete the registration form. You will be linked with one of our advisers and asked to produce some evidence of the difficulties from a medical or clinical practitioner such as a GP, Community Psychiatric Nurse or Psychiatrist. There are a range of adjustments we can put in place and some examples include: support to catch up with your studies if you miss taught sessions, the right to request extensions to coursework deadlines or additional time to borrow books from the library.  You may also be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance and we can support you to apply for further support through this fund. For more information this, please see our website. 

You can also link with Wellbeing Services and there is a range of support either through appointments with advisers or 24/7 support online. Have a look at the website to see what suites you best.

Who do I contact about a learning difficulty?

Please get in touch with Disability Services as we support a range of students, including those with specific learning difficulties. If you have already had a diagnostic assessment, please send us a copy of this and register with our service. We will then link you with one of our advisers who can help to put support in place for you during your studies and advise you about applying for the Disabled Students Allowance. Through this fund you may be able to access one to one support and assistive software. 

If you have not had an assessment for a specific learning difficulty or have had the assessment in your further education which enables you to have additional time in exams, you may need to have diagnostic assessment. Please email us on disability@hud.ac.uk to find out more.

Is there support offered for dyslexia assessments?

Yes, we can arrange for you to have an educational psychologist assessment. Please email disability@hud.ac.uk to find out more and request an assessment.  

If the assessment concludes that you have a specific learning difficulty, you can speak to one of our advisers about what further support can be put in place during your studies.

What support is available for students with Autistic Spectrum Conditions?

You can get support through the Disability Service. When you complete our registration form, you will be linked with one of our advisers and asked to produce some evidence of the autistic spectrum condition. There are a range of adjustments we can put in place for your study and some examples include: the right to request extensions to coursework deadlines, guidance on understanding assignment questions or additional time to borrow books from the library. You may also be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance and we can support you to apply for further support through this fund. Please see the question on DSA for more information on this or have a look at this link on our website. 

There is an autism lunch club that runs every week in term time. This gives you the chance to meet other students with an autistic spectrum condition and speak to an adviser about any difficulties you may be experiencing.

What support is available for long-term medical conditions?

Yes, you can access support through the Disability Service. Please complete the registration form and you will be linked with one of our advisers and asked to produce some evidence of your condition. There are a range of adjustments we can put in place and some examples include: support to catch up with your studies if you miss taught sessions, the right to request extensions to coursework deadlines or assistance in accessing library books. You may also be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance and we can support you to apply for further support through this fund.

What assistance is there for students with visual impairments?

You can get support through the Disability Service. When you get in touch with us, you will be linked with one of our advisers to discuss the range of adjustments we can put in place for your study. Some examples include: making sure information is in the right format for you, the right to request extensions to coursework deadlines, assistance from a support worker to make sure you can access the campus or support to borrow resources from the library.  You may also be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance and we can support you to apply for further support through this fund. Please see the question on DSA for more information on this or on our website.

What assistance is there for hearing impairments?

You can access support through the Disability Service. Please complete the registration form and you will be linked with one of our advisers. There are a range of adjustments we can put in place and some examples include: letting the staff know you may need to sit in a certain area of the lecture halls or classrooms, advising staff if you need to lip read, passing on written information ahead of taught sessions etc.  Our advisers can also support you to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance or DSA. This government fund can offer more support such as equipment to help you to hear information better in lectures, seminars, workshops and group work, recording software or specialist one to one support.

What support is there for physical disabilities?

You can access support through the Disability Service. Please complete the registration form and you will be linked with one of our advisers. There are a range of adjustments we can put in place and some examples include: support to catch up with your studies if you miss taught sessions, the right to request extensions to coursework deadlines or assistance in accessing library books.  You may also be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance and we can support you to apply for further support through this fund, which may also include access to ergonomic equipment for your study area. Please visit our website further support. 

There is more guidance about accessing the campus and information about routes around the campus, car parking and evacuation of buildings.

Does the Library offer any additional support?

We aim to make the library as welcoming and friendly as possible. If you need any additional help such as extra time to borrow books, help in finding resources, retrieving books from the shelves or a one to one library induction, you can link with the Library Disability Support Adviser.

How will staff find out about my requirements?

Your adviser produces a document called a Personal Learning Support Plan or PLSP which outlines the support or adjustments that you will need during your studies. There are different sections which cover support in teaching, for exams, in the library, during placement, when on the campus etc. The staff on your course are made aware when a plan has been produced so they can look at the ranges of adjustments you need. Find out a little more about the PLSP on our website.

What is the Disabled Students' Allowance?

It’s a government fund that provides additional support for disabled students. You may be eligible for this if you have a physical or sensory disability, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, mental health difficulties, social communications difficulties such as autism or a long-term medical condition.  

You apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance or DSA to your funding body and you will be asked to provide evidence of your disability. If your funding body says you are eligible, you will then have a needs assessment and discuss with an assessor the impact of your disability on your studies. They will then make some recommendations for support which might include assistive software, one to one support, equipment, a consumables allowance or a contribution towards travel costs.  

It can take a few weeks to complete the DSA Application and we recommend that you start this before you begin your course. Our service can support you each step of the way – even before you start University. There’s more information about DSA on our website.

I'm struggling - who can help?

Wellbeing and Disability Services deal with varied and complex situations so please don't feel you're alone. Check out our support on campus and 24/7 support to see what you'd like to try first. If you choose to see one of our advisers we may be able to put you in contact with other services that may be relevant to you, both internal and external to the University.

How do I book a counselling appointment?

All referrals to counselling are made by one of our advisers if its determined that this is the most suitable avenue of support for you. Please check out our pages on appointments to get started.

I'm feeling homesick - can I speak to someone?

Absolutely! Feeling homesick is extremely common and the chances are that you are not alone - most students feel homesick at some point during their time at University. Sometimes, there may be complex reasons for missing home, but often it’s just the familiarity of friends and family.

Is there support for those with low confidence?

Yes! Come and speak to one of our advisers. They will be able to work with you to identify strategies to help with your confidence. We might also have a workshop or group that would meet your needs and allow you to build your confidence and skills in a supported environment. To meet an adviser, please book an appointment.

I have family problems - who can I talk to?

We are able to offer support to any student experiencing difficulties, so please come and talk to us. The easiest way to do this is by checking out our website and determining which method of support you'd like to start with.

Is there support for students who are grieving?

We understand that dealing with bereavement is extremely difficult, especially when you are trying to manage your studies alongside this. Our Advisers can offer support and signpost you to specific agencies who can help you manage how you feel. Please book a Wellbeing appointment to get started.

Can I get some advice about a friend I'm worried for?

If you're worried about someone, we would advise you to book an appointment with one of our Wellbeing Advisers. Within the appointment you will be able to explore the best option for both yourself and your friend/housemate in moving forward. You may find that your worries have affected you more than you realise, and we can provide you with support in dealing with this.

To book an appointment, please refer to our appointment pages. You may also wish to have a look through our support directory so you can refer your friend/housemate to an external support service, or access support yourself.

Is there a GP I can register with on campus?

Yes, as a student at the University, you can register with the GP Practice on the edge of the University Campus. This practice offers the full range of support you can expect from a GP but is geared towards the student community. You can register with the surgery online or in person by visiting their website. We recommend that you register with the GP as soon as you can rather than waiting to do this when you need to access the support. 

Moreover, if you had previous NHS support or prescriptions from your former GP, we recommend making that known to your new GP practice.

What support is there if I feel overwhelmed?

There is a range of support at the University. Within each academic school there is a Support and Guidance Team who offer advice around managing your studies. There are also Academic Skills Tutors in each school and you can book meetings with them to work on your study skills. There are sources of support in the Library and through HudStudy. If you're struggling, Wellbeing and Disability Services is there to support you.

What support is there if I don't feel safe?

There is support at the University both in person and online through the Campus police officer and the Wellbeing Service, such as our Share and Support service.

I have no money for food - what can I do?

In the first instance, we would strongly advise you contact the Student Finance office and discuss your situation. If your situation is affecting your wellbeing and you feel that speaking to one of our Advisers would help, please get in touch.

What can I do if I'm unhappy with my housing?

If you'd like to speak with one of our Advisers, please refer to the support we offer on campus. You may also wish to have a look at our accommodation section, which has housing options available throughout the year.

How do I get involved in sport and physical activity?

There are a number of opportunities to be active and create friendships here at the University. To get involved in a sports club or society please visit the Students' Union website who co-ordinate hundreds of student led groups. ActiveHud provides a range of programmes ranging from Active Wellbeing and Social Sport activities, that includes our Open Gym and Open Sport sessions. Both sessions are designed to provide additional support for accessibility requirements or adaptations.  
Our Gym, Swim and Exercise Class membership in partnership with Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) provides access to not only the University based facilities, but also many more KAL sites across the district including on-peak swimming access at a number of locations.

Is there any support for students with faith or religious matters on campus?

Yes, we have a multi-faith chaplaincy team, based in the Jo Cox More in Common Centre. Chaplaincy staff are there to advice on any faith, religion or spirituality matters, and run regular events supporting our students on campus.

Where do I find my timetable and other important information?

MyHud acts as your digital gateway to University information such as your timetable, email, and access to other key systems. You can access MyHud through any desktop or laptop computer, or mobile device via the MyHud app which is available for both IOS and Android devices. MyHud is available 24/7 and will help you navigate University life from wherever you are in the world. 

I'm not sure if I should do a placement

There is a range of support at the University. Within each academic school there is a Placement Unit Team who offer advice on placements. You can also book a one to one appointment with the Careers team who can help you with decision making tools.

I am unsure about my course - can you help?

It’s really useful to have a discussion with a member of staff as soon as possible. You can speak to the Admissions Tutors on your course, your Personal Academic Tutor, or any member of the course team about this. They will be able to advise you about your options.

What volunteering opportunities or part time jobs are there relevant to my degree?

Here at the University we have a range of work experience and job opportunities that will enhance your graduate attributes and further develop your skills. Take a look at the work experience pages for more information.

What can I do with my degree?

We have a great range of resources to help you see what options you have with your degree. Take a look at our options with my degree pages.

What can I do if I don't like my course?

Firstly, talk to us as soon as you can - either your course team or visit the careers team for an appointment and we can guide you through the next steps.

Who can help me complete the Global Professional Award?

We have a dedicated team of Global Professional Award staff who are ready on hand to help you get through the process. To contact us email us on: gpa-team@hud.ac.uk

Where can I get help choosing what course to do?

Choosing your course is an important decision. Here are some websites that you may find useful:

What University Course Should You Study? - UCAS
Choosing a University Course - The Uni Guide
How to choose the right degree - Prospects